UK’s best honoured at WorldSkills UK LIVE

The UK’s best young apprentices and students were crowned the nations’ No.1 in a glittering ceremony in Birmingham on Saturday 23 November.

WorldSkills UK LIVE, at the NEC Birmingham, which attracted more than 72,000 young people gearing up for a vocational pathway to work, was the backdrop for the all-important National Finals of WorldSkills UK’s Competitions.

More than 500 apprentices and students competed in over 70 different disciplines – battling to be the best in the UK. Taking part in WorldSkills UK Competitions equips young people with the world-class skills needed to help UK businesses better compete globally.

Those taking part in the competitions were also hoping to secure the opportunity to represent the UK at the WorldSkills Finals, known as the ‘skills olympics’ in Shanghai in 2021.

Ben Blackledge, Deputy CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: “This is a life-changing moment for these young people. They have already won regional competitions and now their National Finals – they are the new generation of high flyers that will give UK employers a competitive edge.

“We couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them – the standard of competition could not have been higher.”

WorldSkills UK LIVE, is deemed as the very best event of its kind in Europe, and is brimming with stimulating talks, hands-on exhibits, fascinating fact sharing activities and Q&A sessions with leading employers and scintillating entertainment.

Dozens of the UK’s major employers, organisations and educators had a high-profile presence at LIVE in their quest to recruit the next generation of high-fliers. Among them were BAE Systems, Toyota Manufacturing UK, Health Education England, Lloyds Banking Group, the armed forces, Middlesex University, Leicester College and Dudley College of Technology advertising over 20,000 training and employment opportunities.

The squad for WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 will be announced w/c 6th January 2020.